September 4-5, 2012
A High Level Forum on “Rethinking Policy to Address Low Growth and High Debt in the Caribbean” will take place in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on September 4 and 5. The forum will be hosted by the Caribbean Development Bank, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, and the IMF. The event will be attended by Min Zhu, Deputy Managing Director, IMF.
Professor Victor Bulmer-Thomas, Emeritus Professor at London University, will deliver the keynote address on “Restoring Export-Led Growth in the Caribbean”. The conference is by invitation only.
This Forum aims to further the debate on economic policy in the Caribbean and the its challenges in a regional context. It will discuss lessons from the past and develop concrete proposals for how to tackle these daunting challenges more decisively. It will also discuss the implications of the distinctive challenges of recent global developments.
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6:00pm – 7:00pm |
Registration – Hyatt Boardroom Terrace/Jade Room |
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7:00pm – 9:00pm |
Welcome Reception–Hyatt Jade Room |
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8:30am – 9:00am |
Welcome by: (Open to Press) |
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9:00am – 9:15am |
Photo-op |
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9:15am – 10:00am |
Outlook for the World Economy, Latin America, and the Caribbean Small States Around the World: How Are They Different? |
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10:00am – 10:15am |
Coffee break |
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10:15am – 12:15pm |
Economic Challenges Facing the Region Moderator—Thomas Hockin, Executive Director, IMF Keynote Speaker, Victor Bulmer-Thomas, Emeritus Professor at London University—Restoring Export-Led Growth in the Caribbean Discussants: |
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12:30pm – 2:00pm |
Lunch: Address by IMF Deputy Managing Director Min Zhu on An Interconnected World |
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2:30pm –4:30pm |
Topic 1: Growth and Competitiveness: A Way Forward Moderator—Carla Barnett, Vice-President, CDB Competitiveness in the Caribbean Discussants: Q & A |
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4:30pm – 4:45pm |
Coffee break |
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4:45pm – 6:00pm |
Topic 2: A Regional Approach for the Financial Sector Moderator—Professor Compton Bourne, Executive Director, Caribbean Centre for Money and Finance (CCMF) Regional Financial Stability Discussants: Q & A |
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7:00pm |
Dinner and Cultural Show Hosted by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago (Diplomatic Centre, St. Ann’s) |
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8:30am – 10:15am |
Topic 3: Framework for Sustainable Fiscal Policy and How to Lower Debt Moderator—Gerard Johnson, General Manager, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Fiscal Challenges in the Caribbean Discussants: Q & A |
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10:15am – 10:30am |
Coffee break |
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10:30am –12:00pm |
Topic 4: Role of the International Community and the IMF Moderator—Paulo Nogueira Batista, Executive Director, IMF How Can the IMF and Other Partners Better Support Caribbean Reform Efforts? Discussants: Q & A |
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12:00pm – 12:30pm |
Wrap up—Communiqué on Takeaways Warren Smith, President, CDB |
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12:30pm |
Lunch Press Conference (CDB, IMF, Trinidad and Tobago Authorities) |
Organizing committee: Therese Turner-Jones, Gerardo Peraza
Conference coordinators: Francis Cyril Strodel, Irina Sirbu, Eneshi Kapijimpanga
